I believe that if you share your experiences with the students, this keeps them interested in the subject. Everyone likes to hear a story that grasps your attention.
As an instructor of adults, learning better ways to increase retention is invaluable. Adult learners have so many possible obstacles that can arise, and it is our job to help them see that any thing can be worked out.
Effective retention strategies will enable us instructors to keep teaching interesting for our students.
Those are some great ideas. I like to get to know my students first to get them comfortable with their fellow classmates as well as with me. I too establish a clear understanding of the course and syllabi. These are some great steps.
Michelle,
This tie in is powerful for students because the stories reinforce the value of the content to the students. Also, as you have noticed I know they really get excited about the stories due to the interest factor that shows them that they will be experiencing these same things before long.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Relating the material being covered to a personal story of how it carries over into the field of instruction helps the student stay engaged and want to learn more and keep them coming back.
I completly agree with you Paul as it allows the students a better opportunity to grasp the information and have the ability to retain the inforamtion. I am a more hands on and visual learner. I find that while in the classroom if I explain the information by using career stories the students tend to be more engaged and if possible showing them by demonstration they tend to remember the informtion and learn easier.
Being able to have various types of teaching methods is critical for students. Without being able to have hands-on experience, students lose interest very quickly.
MICHAEL,
I think this as well. They need to see application and relevancy to what is being taught. Also, it is good to connect what they are being taught to dollars so they can see they are investing in themselves and their future by working hard in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think the trick to keeping students in school is keeping them engaged, and showing interest in them. Showing them that they are more than just a "student" makes it more personal for them.
The course demonstrate that to improve student retention rates schools should address both academic and non-academic factors of student happiness and success. Research has shown to improve student retention factors related to academic goals, academic -related skills, and academic self-confidence must be addressed (Hanover Research, 2011).
Reference
Hanover Research, (2011). Improving Student Retention and Graduation Rates. From http://www.mybrcc.edu/intranet/attachments/article/110/Improving%20Student%20Retention%20and%20Graduation%20Rates.pdf
Effective student retention starts with respect. Wether it's a young student entering with little experience or an older student coming in with a lot, respect is the first step to student retention. As the instructor you must be respectful to every student no matter there age or background. Ounce your students know you respect them and that you respect there education they will start to respect you back. Ounce that trust is built effective student retention can be possible.
I find the best way for retention is to move around the classroom and ask questions using their names just to keep them interested and focused.
I also agree. It may be a good idea to have a person from the outside to come to a class to talk about their job experience
Lawrence,
Yes, this effort can be very rewarding to both the students and yourself. I know when I develop a new activity or try a new delivery technique I get energized and that spreads to my students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do understand that retaining students is certainly a reason to continue to hone my teaching techniques. Sometimes just researching new methods to present the material can go a long way to keep students interested.
Hello Gilbert,
I have done the same as you in my classroom. One day a former student showed up to grad out and happened to stop by my classroom, my students were full of questions about what to expect on externship. I let the former student take over the class for a few minutes to share her new experiences and she closed the "class" by telling the students to listen to the teacher, in this case me, because all the career related stories I tell them are true. It made me feel very happy to have a student say such a thing and realize that what I do matters.
Yes, I agree. I think students want to hear about relevant experiences that make them feel directly connected to their learning.
An effective way to retain students is making them the most pleasant quiet life at school and you can accomplish this ?? showing them the topics in a didactic way, with dedication, love and constant communication between student and teacher.
Exactly, sharing personal stories of work experience motivates students to engage in class discussions. They not only tell about past experience, but can speak of how class topics can help them to succeed in future endeavors.
